used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
matters of personal concern
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
amassverbUS /əˈmæs/
collect or gather
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
attainverbUS /əˈteɪn/
to gain with effort
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
attendantnounUS /əˈtendənt/
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
a person who is in charge
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
councilor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
exchangesnounUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “exchange” — chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
generositynounUS /ˌdʒenərˈɑːsəti/
the trait of being willing to give your money or time
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
honorsnounUS /ˈɑːnərz/
plural of “honor” — a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
laborsnounUS /ˈleɪbərz/
plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
NorthwestnounUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwest/
the northwestern region of the United States
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
POTLATCHnounUS /ˈpɑːtlætʃ/
a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)
From this reading THE POTLATCH.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POTLATCH.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
precisely as stated
From this reading The feast at which he exchanges these for political honors is very dramatic and picturesque.
wampumnounUS /ˈwɑːmpəm/
informal terms for money
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
wealthyadjectiveUS /ˈwelθi/
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A potlatch among the tribes of the Northwest means a feast at which some wealthy Indian gives away to his own people or to a friendly tribe all that he has.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading For this generosity he becomes a councilor or wise man, or judge, an attendant on the chief in public affairs, and is held in especial honor during the rest of his life.
a late time of life
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading To attain this honor of chief man or councilor, many an ambitious young Indian labors for years to amass wampum, blankets, and canoes.
